2015 City Fest in Holmes Beach

Holmes Beach – It’s that time of year again, City Fest is coming back to Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island!

On Friday, March 27th from 5-10pm and Saturday, March 28th from 10am-10pm, this 2-day event will be taking place at the Holmes beach City Hall Field.

Continuous band music will be provided by a host of live entertainers on stage in addition to a Food Court with local island restaurants and vendors, the LaPensee Classic Car Show on Saturday featuring vintage cars, AMI Fitness Kids Zone, Island Fine Arts, Jewelry & Crafts, Wine, Beer , Rum Runners, Margaritas and more!

Island CityFest is being held at the Holmes Beach City Hall “Field” 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach (next to City Hall). For Vendor or Sponsor Information see attachments or call 941-778-1541.

Band Line-Up Friday March 27th:

Scott Pritchard – MC

5:30-7:30pm Koko Ray & the Keepers

8:00-10:00pm – Billy Rice Band

Band Line-Up Saturday March 28th:

Mike Sales – MC all day

11:00-12:00 noon – Cant Turn Left

12:30-2:30pm – Mike Sales & the Restless Natives

3:00-5:00pm – soulRcoaster

5:30-7:30pm – Shotgun Justice

8:00pm-10:00pm – Scott’s Garage

2015 City Fest in Holmes Beach — city fest 2015

2015 Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

Cortez – The 33rd annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, February 14th-15th from 10:00am – 6:00pm. Art, music and seafood will bring scores of people to the historic Cortez fishing village and you won’t want to miss it!

Admission – $3.00 for Adults – Children 12 under free

To find Cortez Village on a map, locate Bradenton which is about 50 miles south of Tampa. Find State Road 684, known locally as Cortez Road or 44th Avenue, and go west to the beaches.

Remote Parking for the Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival

Every year there is a something new at the Festival. Festival goers will want to note that there is a remote parking area in west Bradenton. You can avoid the traffic and enjoy the bus ride with your friends to the Festival ($2.50 round trip). The new parking site is located at G. T. Bray Park (5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton, 34209). Just turn east off of 59th St. onto 33rd Ave. W. You can’t miss it.

As in past years, this same shuttle service is being provided from the remote parking area located at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island. Island folks can take the free trolley to the parking site.

Also, the parking area just east of the village off of Cortez Road has been expanded again this year. But get there early or later in the day as this parking area tends to fill up quickly. Parking spots open up later in the day.

Another option is to park in the western part of town. Many folks manage small parking areas throughout the village with some charging a fee depending on how close they are to the village.

The Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival is organized entirely by a volunteer committee of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H.), a Florida not-for-profit corporation.

Silhouettes at Sunset ~ 9~15~2014 ~ Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island ~ A Romantic Sunset — Romance on Anna Maria Island

The summer has come and gone and we are entering into fall! The atmosphere changes from tourists bustling around the Island enjoying vacations with family and friends to less crowded locals soaking up the peace and quiet for about a month on Anna Maria Island. I find fall sunsets to be the most beautiful because the skies are a much deeper blue and late afternoon showers give way to more grandeur sunsets! It is a perfect time for couples to nestle their chairs in the sand and let the sunset serve as their entertainment. The turtles are still hatching and the shore birds, dolphins and manatees all add that touch of wildlife for which Anna Maria Island is so well known especially to the locals. Soon we will see fall festivals happening along the Gulf of Mexico, both on and off the Island offering seafood and live music as well as arts and crafts. Islanders are always excited to put on their jeans and open their windows to feel the cross breezes and fresh air! And at the end of the day we find our reward for hard work is to be able to walk to the beach to rest and relax as we experience another amazing sunset pulling the shade down as day fades into night…as summer fades into fall!

Anna Maria Soaring Sunset — Soaring Sunset on Anna Maria Island

Created by Melinda Bordes Melinda@annamariasunset.com 941-705-0146…Whether buying or selling real estate on Anna Maria Island or surrounding areas feel free to call me to assist you in the process. Together we can find that perfect slice of paradise so you can soak up our amazing sunsets no matter the season!

2014 Food and Wine on Pine – Anna Maria Island Festival

Anna Maria – The 4th annual 2014 Food and Wine on Pine is taking place on May 3rd on historic Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. Featuring the very best in food, win art and music on the island, you won’t want to miss this unique event.

2014 Food and Wine on Pine

Twenty five local restaurants will feature their unique cuisine. This is all while you taste at least thirty upscale wines. Craft and domestic beers will also be available! Approximately 40 juried artists, more than 30 musical acts and more will line Pine Avenue.

New for this year is a Kentucky Derby Tent. Here you can watch the spectacle on big screen tv’s called the Pine Avenue Downs. There will be other derby related events including betting on the race, a bar serving up Mint Julips and more. It’s almost as good at being in Kentucky!

This event is popular among locals and visitors, and is well attended every year too! While this event grows in popularity, it always offers something new each year.

Food and wine on Pine is organized by the Chiles group of restaurants. They will also be among the vendors list of participants.

Stay tuned to the Food and Wine on Pine website for more information!

1st Annual Lighting of Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island!

Mark Saturday, November 30^th on your calendar ~ we have a great way to get in the holiday spirit!

That evening from 5pm through 10pm, we are all welcome to enjoy the first official holiday Lighting of Bridge Street. Bring your friends, family (both human and furry) to Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island. The night will come alive with live holiday music by “Ted Stevens and the Doo Shots”. There will be shopping, crafts, food and a full bar available. The exact location is 107 Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach….but leave the car at home! You can let loose, have a good time and shake your tail feathers by taking the free Anna Maria Island Trolley!!

What a fun way to follow up an island Thanksgiving!

This is the first of many merry holiday events on Anna Maria Island, beginning in the city of Bradenton Beach.

For more information on the host, Bridge Street Merchants, click here.

Experience the Anna Maria Island Nightlife

Anna Maria Island Nightlife

Looking for something to do at night on Anna Maria Island? There are several choices in nighttime entertainment to choose from…

Live Music

Blue Marlin Restaurant’s Courtyard offers live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in a relaxing outdoor setting.
Island Time Bar & Grill has live music running from Thursday through Sunday. Wings, burgers, and fried grouper sandwiches are also available.
The Anna Maria City Pier has live music on Friday and Saturday starting at 6:00PM.
D Coy Ducks is an option for those wanting to stay out later, open until 1:30AM. Live music Wednesday-Saturday with Thursday being karaoke night.
Ace’s Lounge, a short jaunt off the island, is a great choice for live music. Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz and Reggae can all be found here.

Happy Hours

Check out our full list of ten Anna Maria Island happy hours to get the night started right!

Bars & Billiards

Sport’s on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach has billiards, darts, and shuffleboard!
Slim’s Place has two billiards tables and drinks to go around. A large bar and televisions to watch the game.
Bortell’s has darts, pinball, video games, and billiards tables, and .
The Firkin & Fox Pub is off the island, but open until 11:00PM Monday-Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

More information on night spots can be found in some of our other top blogs!

Privateers Pirate Invasion

Shiver me timbers! Tami here to tell you to get ready for the pirate invasion! November 1-3 is the Anna Maria Island Privateers Pirate Invasion. The Privateers are a non-profit group organized to support local youth, and they are partnering up with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Keep Manatee Beautiful, and Sandblast 2013 to host this event on Coquina Beach. There will be a parade, Pirates’ Ball, an island wide treasure hunt, arts and crafts, vendors, food, drink and live entertainment for landlubbers of all ages! This fundraiser will benefit local businesses as well as compile donations for the kids’ organizations and scholarship funds. Be sure to check it out, or walk the plank!

Anna Maria Island Privateers Pirate Invasion

Nov 1 (12 pm-5 pm) Nov 2 (10 am-8 pm) Nov 3 (10 am-5 pm)

Coquina Beach, Anna Maria Island

Contact: Anna Maria Island Privateers PO Box 1238 Holmes Beach, Florida 34217

Visiting during Independence Day or during Christmas? Don’t miss the Privateers parade they host all along Anna Maria Island!

Blue Marlin Restaurant On Historic Bridge Street

The Blue Marlin Restaurant on Anna Maria Island serves only the freshest local seafood and is a great spot to catch local musicians. Located on Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach the Blue Marlin offers a unique dining experience in an intimate setting. The Blue Marlin is a nautical theme restaurant with local artwork and pictures throughout the restaurant.

Owner Adam Ellis has extensive knowledge of the local seafood market and purchases fresh fish daily in the Village of Cortez which provides the exquisite entrée selection and daily specials featuring the day’s catch. If you’re not a seafood lover try their famous steak sandwich, short ribs, or roasted chicken you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re in the mood for live music after dinner than the courtyard is the spot for you. The courtyard at the Blue Marlin offers live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings in a very relaxing outdoor setting featuring different live bands every week.

So the next time you’re in the mood for tasty food and live music head down to the Blue Marlin on Historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach.

Blue Marlin
121 Bridge Street
Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

A few other choices on Bridge Street can be found on our Bridge Street information page.

Anna Maria Island Springfest 2013

Looking for something to do this weekend? Then head over to the Anna Maria Island Springfest! This year features two days of art, activities, food, drinks and live music! Regional artists will show off their art and you can purchase prize drawing tickets for a chance to take home your own piece of the festival! Proceeds will benefit the Anna Maria Island Art League which offers scholarships and other art education programs to local students.

Anna Maria Island Springfest
The event will run from 10am – 5pm on Saturday March 9, and Sunday March 10, 2013. Come out and eat your share of kettle corn while jamming to the sweet sounds of Koko Ray, The Bontrager Sisters and many more!

Admission and parking are FREE! Fear not, this has become an annual event. Continue to visit Island Real Estate’s local scene if you are interested to learn when Spring Fest is for the year you are visiting Anna Maria Island.

Holmes Beach City Hall Field
5801 Marina Dr.
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217

Mary Ann’s Castaway Tavern in Bradenton Beach – Closed

Sorry this event has come and gone however Mary Ann’s Castaway Tavern in Bradenton Beach has events each week. Visit their Facebook page for more accurate information.

Want more information on more musical events on and off Anna Maria Island? Visit our music information page for more ideas of things to do while visiting Anna Maria.

Head down to Bradenton Beach for a Tribute to Rod Stewart with Michael Silbaugh tonight Friday March 1^st , 2013 at Mary Ann’s Castaway Tavern in Bradenton Beach! Mikey hits the stage from 8:00pm – 11:00pm See you there!

Mary Ann’s Castaway Tavern
111 7^th Street North
Bradenton Beach FL 34217